Destination: Captiva

Recently I had the opportunity to attend a destination wedding in Captiva, Florida, about a five-hour drive from the couple’s hometown of Daytona Beach, Florida. My husband and I drove over from Orlando on Saturday morning and checked in at the South Seas Island Resort. We had plenty of time that evening to relax in our cozy room overlooking the bay and to enjoy an offbeat but delicious dinner at The Bubble Room.

The next day, the wedding didn’t start until 6 p.m., so we spent the day at the resort lying out on the beach, taking a dip in the surf and popping over to The Ships Store periodically for snacks and tasty drinks.

That evening, we headed to the main event, taking place on the beach across from the Captured beach house, where the couple and their families had spent the week. It was clear and sunny, and the sand was all but deserted. The groom had constructed a lovely canopy out of bamboo for the ceremony, and the couple had provided plenty of chilled bottles of water so we could beat the heat as we awaited the bride in our white garden chairs.

The vows were sweet and simple, with the couple performing a sand ceremony and the bride’s brothers singing a song a cappella. But the highlight of the service was definitely the dolphins that kept making appearances out in the Gulf!

Afterward, we headed back to the beach house for a reception around the pool, decorated with floating arrangements by Floral Artistry of Sanibel. Blue Windows Catering served a feast of fish and chicken, and for dessert, the couple served fruit flan in lieu of cake.

All in all, it was a great weekend, and I loved the intimacy and tropical beauty of a real wedding away!